That meant in the final minute, with U-M needing to control the ball and hit free throws, LeVert was the one who was 6-for-6, capping his 18-point, nine-rebound, seven-assist night.

But, as he pointed out, it was easy for him to roll up six assists by feeding Duncan Robinson.

Now one of the hottest three-pointer shooters over the past three games, Robinson was up to his usual tricks Tuesday with a 5-for-7 night on three-pointers.

Three came in the first half as the Wolverines wrestled the lead away after a sluggish start, and the final one came with 6:48 left. That's when U-M felt the heat, its 15-point lead down to four and the growing crowd trying to drag its poor-shooting team across the finish line.

Yet they didn't account enough for Robinson, who drilled a three-pointer from the right corner.

It was one of the few shots Beilein didn't want him to take but was glad he did.

"It was one of those 'No-no-no, that's my guy,'" Beilein said. "It was great."

And it set up the backbreaker, with Zak Irvin following him with a three from the left side, silencing the crowd and giving U-M that cushion.

CLOSE

Michigan coach John Beilein on the Wolverines' win over N.C. State and the loss of Derrick Walton. Video by Mark Snyder/DFP

Both, of course, off feeds from LeVert, the draw and dish.

"Caris will have a tendency to do it all, and they load up so much, he found the right people a couple times," Beilein said.

The margin never fell below seven the rest of the way, and everyone pitched in, even center Ricky Doyle, who struggled much of the game, but with 2 minutes left, caught and finished a cutting lay-up and then took a charge.

Michigan looked like a veteran team despite all the challenges.

(Did we forget to mention the fouls? Where U-M was whistled for five in the first half and 15 in the second …)

The win was important for the Wolverines, who are trying to gain momentum after decisive losses to Xavier and Connecticut. Now there are three straight wins after two at the Battle 4 Atlantis and a true road game. After Saturday's tune-up against Houston Baptist, only one more big nonconference test remains, at SMU next Tuesday.

Strong defense (N.C. State shot 32.8% at home), a hot shooter (Robinson finished with 17 and has hit 13-for-17 on threes) and resiliency carried through Tuesday.

"We showed great fight down the stretch, they made a run, we knew they would, their crowd got behind them, we stuck together," LeVert said.

For the second time in two trips, U-M headed home off a win. That's an identity.